ALA Leadership Team holds top to top with AAFES:
This week (24 February), the ALA Board of Directors traveled to Dallas for a meeting and business overview with the Exchange senior leadership team that included the CEO, CMO, President, Deputy Director, CFO and Logistics SVP. Topics of discussion included ALA Congressional Testimony, Exchange financial update, veterans shopping benefits, logistics and data supplier update and much more. There was no doubt that the ALA and industry Team working together with the Exchange will serve and continue to make adjustments in the business models that are a right for the present and future military customer.

CEO, Tom Shull spoke for over 45 minutes in a passionate plea for continued industry support, ideas, and cooperation as they need all of us working towards the same end result ... improving products sales and supporting the men and women in uniform for another 100 years.

ALA BOD Members had the opportunity to ask specific questions and engage on future plans in the Exchange play book. There will be an opportunity for interested members to visit the Distribution Center in Waco, Texas and receive an update on the logistics changes, date to be determined and announced. Ana Middleton promised a bigger and even better Workshop with ALA member companies in 2017.

I want to take this opportunity to thank those serving on the Board and to the Exchange leadership Team for making this session so successful. In fact, the Exchange CEO has requested another similar discussion in September with the ALA Industry Team.

Pentagon wants to make even more changes to troops' retirement planRead the Full StoryMilitary Times, Andrew Tilghman
The Pentagon is fending off criticism that another round of updates to the military's retirement system would benefit older career-minded personnel at the expense of younger troops who fulfill only a short-term obligation.

Pentagon prepares to train troops on new retirement options Read the Full StoryThe Gazette, Tom Philpott
As many as 2.4 million active duty and reserve component members, roughly 75 percent of the force, will be invited in 2018 to switch to the new "blended" military retirement plan that Congress approved last year.

National DefenseDefense Secretary Ashton Carter and top military leaders will be on Capitol Hill making their case that Congress should pass the president's budget proposal for fiscal year 2017 so the military can be spared the disruptions caused by unpredictable funding.
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Military Times (tiered subscription model) The White House is sending key military and civilian leaders to Capitol Hill to argue for its fiscal 2017 budget request, the final big fiscal fight of President Barack Obama's presidency.READ MORE

Military Times (tiered subscription model)The following are upcoming job fairs for service members and veterans. Go to the website for an event before attending to find out whether you should register in advance. In some cases, you'll be able to see which employers have signed up. Others are by invitation only.READ MORE

National DefenseThe Senate Armed Services Committee asked the military chiefs to submit a detailed list of items that were not funded in the president's fiscal year 2017 budget request. This annual drill — known as the "unfunded requirements" list — is taking on added significance this year as congressional defense hawks seek to make a case that the Pentagon should receive tens of billions of dollars more than what the president requested.READ MORE

National Military Family AssociationWhat's in the budget proposal for service members and their families?: Fourth year of pay raise cap, family-focused reforms, revisions to the new blended retirement system, commissary funding cut and health care reform. The DoD budget proposal would cut $221 million from the commissary budget. The budget does not provide details about where these savings will come from, but we are concerned about the possible effect on the savings military families receive when shopping at the commissary. READ MORE

Military Officers Association of America FacebookDid you know this year's pay caps will cost today's officer over $2,300 this year? The FY17 defense budget contains pay and benefit cuts affecting every segment of the military community, including: Significant fee increases for military health coverage, capping the military pay raise for the fourth consecutive year, and cutting $221 million in commissary funding. Contact Congress Now! READ MORE

Air Force Sergeants AssociationThe Administration (the White House, DoD, etc.) and Congress have repeatedly proposed cutting the $1.4 billion annual subsidy that makes military commissaries viable and that enables military beneficiaries to save up to 30 percent annually on their grocery bills. If approved, these proposals would significantly reduce commissary savings, close many stores, reduce the days the remaining stores could operate, cost military family members thousands of jobs, and set the stage for further Administration attacks on this much-valued quality-of-life benefit. READ MORE

National Military Family Association BlogI’m just going to say this now: the commissary is better than Walmart. If you're like the majority of military families who live on or near a military installation, you know there's always one constant: the commissary. No matter where you go, you know you can count on there being a commissary, even worlds away from the United States ... each year, generous manufacturers and suppliers whose products are sold at military commissaries worldwide help fund scholarships that are given out at each location operated by the Defense Commissary Agency.READ MORE

Yahoo FinanceFeb. 22-27 is America Saves Week and Military Saves Week, a time when the Consumer Federation of America joins forces with participating organizations and military installations to encourage Americans and American service members and their families to take action to save money. READ MORE

COMMISSARY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissary Web Posts

The following commissary items were posted to the ALA Website between 10 AM, February 18, 2016 and 10 AM, February 25, 2016:

Food Network via Yahoo HealthMost of us shop for food at supermarkets. And while it's possible to get healthy food there (hint: shop the perimeter), sometimes it feels like we're being thwarted in our efforts to buy healthy food (we're looking at you, checkout lane). So it's refreshing to hear that several of the nation's grocery stores are taking steps to make it easier for us to buy and eat healthier.READ MORE

Refrigerated & Frozen FoodsA growing demand for easy-to-prepare food is what's driving the global frozen fruits and vegetables market, according to a report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., San Jose, California. In fact, the study says that the frozen fruits and vegetables market is projected to reach 28.2 million tons by 2020.READ MORE

FoodNavigator.comFaced with a growing wave of consumer demand for products with simpler, natural colors and flavors, food and drink companies have been notoriously slow to respond, says Mintel. While household names, such as Mars, General Mills, Kellogg and Kraft Foods acknowledge the need to meet consumer expectations, the majority of food and drink companies have yet to rise to the challenge.READ MORE

By Bambi MajumdarCompetition between the soda giants is nothing new. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have been always focused on being one step ahead of each other. Amidst growing health awareness and changing perceptions, Americans spent $70 billion on sodas in 2014 — a 25 percent decline from 1998. This has led the soda giants to look at emerging markets like Asia, Africa and Latin America. While that plan is cooking, they have new plans for the home market as well, which includes the night scene.READ MORE

ABC NewsAs around-the-clock grazing upends the way people eat, companies are reimagining foods that aren't normally seen as snacks to elbow in on the trend. That means everything including grilled chicken, cereal, chocolate, peanut butter and even Spam are now being marketed as snacks.READ MORE

Food Business NewsThe one-time cost to American consumers associated with the Vermont G.M.O. labeling law could be as high as $3.8 billion, or $32 per household, according to a study funded by the Washington-based Refiners Association.READ MORE

BeverageDaily.com Sales of bottled water in the U.S. increased 6.4 percent to reach more than $15 billion in 2015, according to research from Mintel. And as consumers continue to look for alternatives to soft drinks, sales are expected to keep growing rapidly.READ MORE

Urban LandGrocery-anchored shopping centers have long been a highly desirable investment due principally to the nondiscretionary nature of purchases made there by consumers, suggesting a durability of performance across economic cycles. In addition, investors have traditionally viewed these centers as relatively safe, defensive investments because the supply of new, competitive centers anchored by dominant grocery brands is limited. This notion of relative safety is being reevaluated, however, given that a large segment of these investments is anchored by traditional grocers that are seeing their business model come under pressure.READ MORE

QUARTZSince at least 2013, Coach has been in a sales slump, suffering from its reputation as a peddler of nice but unremarkable handbags, and the fact that Coach bags could often be had at a discount — the kiss of death for any "premium" brand. But now, a look around fashion's best storefronts suggests that's about to change.
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MediumDisrupt your business or risk being disrupted by emerging competitors. What can retailers — established multichannel brands to young digital companies — learn from the startups and small businesses that are rethinking e-commerce?READ MORE

By Danielle ManleyJanuary is a time for resolutions and goals — and not just personal ones. For retailers, goals can be widespread — from increasing inventory to creating new inventory, from opening new locations to increasing e-commerce sales. However, those are generic goals. How will you increase inventory? How will you open another location? Where will you open another location? There's one answer to all of these questions: innovative technology.READ MORE

Bloomberg BusinessAmericans will get back some $330 billion in tax refunds this year, and more than half of that is earmarked for savings accounts or paying down debt. That's the highest percentage since 2007. READ MORE

The Associated PressWhen people line up at a coffee shop for their morning brew or crowd a bookstore to meet a famous author, don't assume they're patronizing a national chain. Many independent stores have been able to survive, thrive and even launch in spite of competition from big box retailers, like Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble and Home Depot. Indies are doing this by becoming more a part of the fabric in the communities they serve, offering more personalized service and unique ambience than the bigger guys.READ MORE

By Danielle ManleyThe National Retail Federation recently concluded "Retail's BIG Show," and attendees left with plenty to think about for the year. From emotional robots serving wine to networking with the biggest names in retail, NRF 2016 was full of innovation and excitement. As everyone begins to think about the upcoming year, remember one thing: Be unique. For those of you who were unable to attend retail's largest annual event, here are a few key takeaways from NRF 2016.READ MORE

KOTA-TVNebraska's raise on cigarette taxes bill is due for another hearing. The bill, LB1013 introduced in January by Sen. Mike Gloor, R-Neb., would increase cigarette tax to $1.50 per pack from the current $0.62 tax, which is one of the lowest in the country.READ MORE

FedBizOpps.gov Pursuant to the authority of FAR 6.302-1, The Department of Health and Human Services, Program Support Center, Acquisition Management Services, on behalf of the Defense Travel Management Office, intends to negotiate a sole source basis an order with Omega World Travel, 3102 Omega Office Park Ste 1, Fairfax, VA 220312. READ MORE

DoD LiveAfter the terrorist-hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center buildings in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, Coast Guard reservist Marguerite DeMartino rushed out of her civilian workplace and headed to the Coast Guard office not far from Ground Zero. DeMartino, now the senior enlisted reserve rating force program manager for the public affairs rate, wanted to see how she could support Coast Guard efforts. READ MORE

Fort Leavenworth Lamp"As soon as you walk through that door, you've got a family." That's how Melanie Marcec felt when she got involved with the River City Community Players in 2012. When Marcec, a military analyst in the Information Operations Proponent Officer, Mission Command Center of Excellence, moved to the Leavenworth area in 2008, she said she didn't have many friends beyond her family and co-workers. READ MORE